Recency Bias
Events that are fresh in our memory feel like they have a greater significance than others. This is why scoring plays at the very end of a sports contest are celebrated much more than similar plays in the middle. It is why political campaigns intentionally hold back some dirt on their opponents until the last days before an election in an effort to eclipse all the previous impressions that were made in the campaign. It is why the last time we speak with a loved one before they die feels more significant than the many other times we shared important things together. It is why it feels so important to "never forget" the tragedy and pain of September 11th, 2001, while we scarcely give thought anymore to the milestone anniversary dates of the Civil War, in which the very existence of our country was at stake and many more lives were taken. In this sermon, Fr. Garrett remembers the events of the last week Jesus' life, as he anticipates the devotions of the faithful during the upcoming services of Holy Week. We need to regularly bring forward the truly pivotal events in human relationship with God, refresh them into the front and center of our attention, so that the reality of our limited human attention spans doesn't eclipse what is comprehensively most important in our lives with what is merely most recent.